Mahila Samman Scheme Under Fire: AAP Faces Probe Over Alleged Illegal Data Collection

Mahila Samman Scheme Under Fire: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s 'Mahila Samman Yojna' is facing a probe after charges emerged regarding the illegal collection of personal data of women. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, has ordered an inquiry into the matter following a complaint filed by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit.

The complaint raised concerns that private individuals were gathering personal details of women in the name of the scheme.

Photo Credit: PTI

Mahila Samman Scheme Under Fire: The Scheme in Question

The Mahila Samman Yojna, introduced by the Delhi government, aims to provide ₹1,000 per month to women over the age of 18 in the city. The AAP government has promised to increase the amount to ₹2,100 per month if re-elected in the upcoming February assembly elections. However, the initiative has come under scrutiny as allegations suggest that AAP workers were going door-to-door, asking women to sign forms and share personal information under the pretext of enrolling them in the scheme.

The Allegations and Probe

Sandeep Dikshit, the Congress candidate for the New Delhi Assembly seat, met with the Delhi Lieutenant Governor to express concerns about the scheme. According to Dikshit, AAP volunteers have been misleading women and breaching their privacy by gathering personal data without proper authorization.

In response, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor has directed the Chief Secretary to investigate the matter and ensure no illegal activity is taking place. The LG's office has also instructed the Delhi Police Commissioner to take appropriate legal action if any breach of privacy is detected.

Official Statement from the Delhi Government

The Women and Child Development (WCD) Department of the Delhi government has clarified that only authorized personnel will collect forms when the scheme is officially launched. A public notice was issued advising people not to fill out forms provided by unauthorized individuals.

Political Back-and-Forth

The AAP has strongly denied the allegations, claiming that the probe was politically motivated and influenced by BJP leader Amit Shah's office. AAP spokespersons have reiterated that the scheme is well-supported by women in the city, with over 22 lakh women already registered.

Despite the ongoing probe, the controversy surrounding the Mahila Samman Yojna has added a layer of complexity to the political narrative leading up to the Delhi Assembly elections. The outcome of this investigation could significantly impact the ruling party's image, especially among women voters.